Highlights this week…
- Programs and Services …public meeting to interview candidates for City Clerk
- Finance …focused this week on bike sharing
- School Committee …updates for start of the school year
- Planning & Development and Land Use …joint public hearing on development of 71 homes on Dudley and Brandeis Roads
- 9/11 Commemoration …Thursday at 6PM at Fire Department Headquarters
- State Representatives …office hours in City Hall: Rep. Schwartz on Monday, Rep. Sangiolo on Friday
City Council
City Council is not scheduled to meet this week.
Finance will meet on Monday regarding:
- Accepting $23,400 grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety & Security for Emergency Dispatch for expert case review and reporting of Emergency Medical Dispatch calls
- Accepting grant of sixteen Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons from the MassDOT Vulnerable Road User Assessment Program
- Accepting $378,505 grant from the Boston Metropolitan Organization’s 2026 Community Connections Program for bicycle racks, bike shelters, and the installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons
- Accepting $249,295 grant for Newton Bluebikes from MassDOT Shared Streets and Spaces program for four new stations, piloting winter operations, and relocating underperforming stations to higher priority locations
- Entering into a contract for the Greater Boston bike-share system for a 5-year term with option for two additional two-year terms
Zoning and Planning will meet on Monday regarding:
- Appointing Ruth Goldman to the Community Preservation Committee
- Adding maximum residential facade build out ratio to Zoning to aid in new development being contextual to the surrounding neighborhood
- Possible amendments to Zoning to enhance the preservation of existing homes over their replacement by larger and more expensive structures
- Discussion with the Planning Department on revising metrics in the multi-residence zones to regulate the size of new buildings better, enable a wider range of housing options close to public transit, and better incentivize preservation and renovation of existing housing stock
- Possible zoning ordinance changes to align zoning to the proposed use for by-right or special permit projects for new build or major renovations
- Possible changes to the manufacturing (MAN) zone immediately adjacent to the Nonantum village center area
- Reappointing:
- Martin Smargiassi to the Community Preservation Commission
- Elizabeth Sweet to the Zoning Board of Appeals
Land Use will meet on Tuesday regarding requests for:
- Class 2 Auto Licenses: Atlantic Car Connect LLC, 275 Grove Street and Prestige Auto Imports, Inc., 78 Truman Road
- Approval to change from a nonconforming warehouse use to a multi-family dwelling, to increase height, to reconfigure the interior to accommodate six residential dwelling units, and to allow for a freestanding sign near the main driveway entrance at 44 Oak Street
- Rezoning 3 parcels on Dudley Road and Brandeis Road to Multi Residence 1 at 85 Dudley Road
- Approval to construct 71 single-family attached dwellings in 26 buildings and maintain the existing single-family dwelling for a total of 71 units in 27 buildings at 85 Dudley Road
Programs and Services will meet on Thursday for a public meeting with candidates for City Clerk/Clerk of the Council.
Traffic Council will meet on Thursday regarding requests to:
- Change the parking regulations on Howley Avenue to ensure access for emergency, trash and recycling vehicles.
- Change the parking regulations on Albert Road and Roberta Road, potentially to include resident-only parking.
- Change the parking regulation on the east side of Beaumont Avenue between Prospect Park and Hull Street to “No Parking Any Time” to ensure access for buses, trash, recycling and emergency vehicles.
- Restrict parking along either one side or both sides of the block of Islington Road between Commonwealth Avenue and Ryder Terrace.
- Add stop signs on Cobb Place where it intersects with Dwhinda Road, to clarify right-of-way.
- Change to the location of the accessible parking space slightly on Homer Street in front of the library due to recent reconstruction.
- Add a stop sign at the end of Radcliff Road where it intersects with Tamworth Road, to clarify right-of-way.
- Initiate a trial followed by potential updates to the TPR including the following:
- Traffic calming on Elliot Street between Linden Street and Wetherell Street
- Traffic calming at various points along Webster Street and Lexington Street
- Raised intersection at Waverley Avenue/Franklin Street
- Raised intersection at Brookline Street/Spaulding Lane/Hartman Road
- Bump out at the Commonwealth Avenue/Fuller Street/Day Street intersection
- Repaving work in the Beacon Street/Langley Road/Sumner Street/Chase Street area, and
- DCR project at the Hammond Pond Parkway/Beacon Street/Hobart Road intersection.
School Committee
School Committee will meet in Executive Session on Monday, before its regular meeting, to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining and contract negotiations with non-aligned personnel.
School Committee will hold its regular meeting on Monday with an agenda including:
- Superintendent’s Back to School Update
- Introduction of new Directors, Principals, Student Services Leaders, and Athletic Director
- Principals Nardelli and Morse – transitions to Horace Mann and Lincoln-Eliot
- School Resource Officer Reporting per DESE Mandate
- NPS Rights & Responsibilities Handbook, NNHS and NSHS Student Handbooks
- Five-Year Thrive 2030 Strategic Plan and Evidence of Progress Dashboard
- Possible:
- Summer Hiring and Personnel/Salary Update
- Changes to Middle School Conference Schedule
- School Committee Calendar and Agenda Items
Boards and Commissions
Commission on Disability will meet on Monday regarding:
- Accessible Fines Report
- AAB Variances: 60 Highland Street (Second Church) and Newton Free Library Drop Off
- Winter Overnight Parking Ban Discussion
- Playground Advocacy Letter Update
- Harvest Fair Discussion
- Update on ADA 35th Anniversary Mayoral Proclamation
Planning & Development Board will meet on Monday regarding:
- Public Hearings on:
- FY25 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER)
- Substantial Amendment to the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan and FY22 Annual Action Plan (AAP) to reallocate funding from Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) Pool to Supportive Services Pool
- Demolition of existing rear one-story industrial building, replaced by a three-unit, 2½-story residential building and remodeling the existing two-family into a three-unit residential building at 25 Paul Street
- Planning Board Discussions on:
- Possible amendments to Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance to include 4-6 units, including raising the requirements for the number of affordable units in large developments
- Proposed landmarking for 132-136 Adams Street
Planning & Development Board will meet with the Land Use Committee on Tuesday for a Joint Public Hearing regarding:
- Rezoning 3 parcels on Dudley Road and Brandeis Road to Multi Residence 1
- Constructing 71 single-family attached dwellings in 27 buildings with associated dimensional waivers and inclusionary zoning exceptions at 85 Dudley Road
Auburndale Historic District Commission will meet on Tuesday regarding requests for Certificates of Appropriateness for:
- Demolition of existing garage and construction of new garage and hardscaping alterations at 1830 Commonwealth Avenue
- Replacement of existing wood windows at 62 Vista Avenue
Community Preservation Committee will meet on Tuesday for a Public Hearing for the West Newton Cinema Stabilization Project.
Economic Development Commission will meet on Tuesday for:
- Discussion with Rachel Selsky of Camoin Associates regarding focus areas and strategies for economic development
- Working Group updates: Culture, Licensing & Permitting, Zoning Updates, Education
- City updates
Newton Human Rights Commission will meet on Tuesday regarding:
- Newton Police Department Reports
- Student Comment
- Neighboring HRC Event
- Know Your Human Rights Event
- HRC Awards
Newton Cultural Council Grantee Reception Working Group will meet on Wednesday for an update on the reception.
Newton Free Library Board of Trustees will meet on Wednesday regarding:
- BLC Annual Report Information Survey (ARIS)
- Reports:
- President: Committee Assignments, Friends Recognition
- Nominating and Governance: FY26 Officer Slate
- Development Committee: Development Director Posting, Appeal/Impact Report Schedule
- Director: Policy/Procedure Overview, Behavior Policy Update, Library and Building Updates, Annual Report, Friends of Newton Free Library
Urban Design Commission will meet on Wednesday regarding sign permits for:
- 66 Winchester Street – Olympia Fencing Center
- 3-21 Lincoln Street – Higher Ground Fitness
Newton Upper Falls Historic District Commission will meet on Thursday regarding a request to install solar panels on the roof at 125 High Street.
Newtonville Area Council will meet on Thursday. The agenda includes the following:
- Bullough’s Pond Dam Plans
- Washington Street Project / Newtonville Traffic Pattern Update
- Austin Street / Bramway / Cooper Center Walk Through Update
- Village Day Committee Update
- Communications Updates
- WinterFEST Ice Sculpture Sponsorship for Bramway, January 23-25, 2026
- Candidate Debate/Town Halls
- August Listening Hours Update
Waban Area Council will meet on Thursday regarding:
- Current Survey Results for 4 AC Debates on October 18 &19
- Waban: What matters most over the next 2-4 years, Affordability and Village Center Planning
UMass Mt. Ida Neighborhood Council will meet on Friday regarding updates from UMass Mt. Ida, the neighborhood, Wells Avenue Office Park, and the City.
Other
State Representative Greg Schwartz will hold office hours on Monday, September 8, 9:30AM-11AM at Newton City Hall, Room 211.
State Representative Amy Sangiolo will hold office hours on Friday, September 12, 11AM-12:30PM at Newton City Hall, Room 211.
Development Review Team is scheduled to meet this week regarding:
- 224 Melrose Street: Special Permit relief: Raze and rebuild of existing detached garage to have 1st floor Chiropractic office and 2nd floor ADU.
- 40 Butts Street: Renovate home to convert to two-family with relief for nonconforming lot size and nonconforming setbacks.
This week’s road construction schedule has not yet been posted.
Ed. Note: We updated this post to include the meeting of the Waban Area Council.
